AspyreRx is a digital therapeutic that has shown potential in helping patients with Type 2 Diabetes manage their condition more effectively and economically. The study suggests that integrating digital therapeutics like AspyreRx into clinical practice could be a cost-effective approach to diabetes management.
Functionality of AspyreRx: AspyreRx is a prescription digital therapeutic that uses cognitive behavioral therapy to help patients with diabetes lower their hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). It features interactive lessons, skill-building modules, and weekly goal setting and tracking, enabling patients to connect changes in behavior to improvements in blood sugar and other biometrics.
FDA Authorization: The FDA authorized AspyreRx in July 2023. The authorization was based on a clinical trial involving 668 patients, half of whom achieved a mean HbA1c reduction of 1.3% after six months of usage. The list price for a 90-day prescription is $750.
Cost-Effectiveness Study: A study published in Advances in Therapy modeled the cost-effectiveness of AspyreRx plus standard of care versus standard of care alone in T2D over a lifetime horizon. The study was sponsored by Better Therapeutics, the developer of AspyreRx.
Study Findings: The study found that AspyreRx plus standard of care was associated with gains in quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and cost savings of $7343 per patient over the lifetime horizon. It was cost-effective at a willingness-to-pay of $100,000 per QALY over standard of care alone, with an incremental net monetary benefit of $17,443. Savings were primarily driven by a reduction in drug costs, followed by reductions in adverse event costs.
Study Limitations: Limitations of the study include the use of short-term data, as AspyreRx had not been used beyond 180 days at the time of modeling. Additionally, the complexity of diabetes can make it challenging to make reliable predictions.
Potential Impact: The study adds to the evidence supporting the efficacy and economic viability of digital therapeutics. AspyreRx is seen as a sustainable solution that can benefit both patients and the overall healthcare system.